As Jamaica’s annual JCDC Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition prepares to crown its next titleholder, one contestant is stepping into the final stretch with meaningful community backing: The AUBYN Foundation has officially thrown its support behind Tasheka Salmon, an award-winning educator whose platform is rooted in leadership, public service and local community uplift. At 28 years old, Salmon brings far more than pageantry experience to the competition: a deep professional and personal commitment to empowering Jamaica’s next generation. She earned her Bachelor of Education from Bethlehem Moravian College, and currently works as an information technology teacher at St Elizabeth’s Hampton School. In this role, she prioritizes equipping her students with the critical digital literacy skills needed to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven global economy, centering mentorship and academic growth in every lesson. Outside the classroom, Salmon has built a long track record of grassroots community impact. She has supported national literacy efforts through participation in Read Across Jamaica Day, led free computer literacy workshops for young students at Bethlehem Primary School, and volunteered with the local Vineyard Netball Team to expand youth access to recreational sports. Beyond her work in education, she has also completed professional insurance certification through the College of Insurance and Professional Studies, and holds two long-term career aspirations: to reach the rank of master teacher, and to help shape more inclusive, effective educational policy across Jamaica. For leaders of The AUBYN Foundation, Salmon’s career and values align perfectly with the organization’s core mission. “St Elizabeth continues to produce individuals of exceptional character and resilience. Tasheka reflects the discipline, ambition, and service we value,” said Aubyn Henry, the foundation’s executive chairman. Henry shared a personal connection to the decades-old Festival Queen tradition: his mother, Verna Wisdom Henry, made local history as the only person to hold the Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen title for two consecutive years from 1981 to 1982. That early exposure to pageantry and cultural community programming gave Henry a deep appreciation for how these competitions foster personal growth, teamwork, and collective local pride. Toni-Ann Gayle, chief executive officer of The AUBYN Foundation, echoed that enthusiasm for Salmon’s campaign. “Tasheka represents what is possible when talent and purpose are supported by community investment,” Gayle said. “We are proud to stand behind her as she represents St Elizabeth with excellence.” Guided by her personal mantra — “Success is earned through the discipline of consistency” — Salmon has continued to inspire community members through her unwavering commitment to education and service ahead of the competition’s final round. The JCDC Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition final is scheduled to take place this Saturday at the St Elizabeth Technical High School Auditorium in Santa Cruz, where Salmon will compete for the title against other local candidates.
AUBYN Foundation bats for Tasheka Salmon in Miss St Elizabeth Festival Queen Competition
